Results 4,701-4,720 of 15,491 for speaker:Eamon Gilmore
- Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 143 and 144 together. Freedom of religious belief and expression is an issue which is discussed regularly with the Chinese authorities during both bilateral meetings and at European Union level. At these meetings, the Government re-iterates the great importance Ireland attaches to human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law. Individual cases are...
- Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: The welfare of the Irish abroad is a very important priority for the Government. There are particular concerns in the United States where addressing the position of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements are priorities for the Government in its contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The Government's keen interest in a resolution of the situation for...
- Written Answers — Trade Relations: Trade Relations (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: Total trade with Cuba for the first four months of 2012 amounted to â¬384,000. In 2011, Cuba was Ireland's 171st largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to â¬459,000. Opportunities continue to be explored on ways to increase trade through the Irish and Cuban Embassies and agencies. The Irish Embassy at Mexico City, which is accredited to Cuba, participated in the...
- Written Answers — Humanitarian Access: Humanitarian Access (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: The Government remains seriously concerned about the situation in Sudan and South Sudan. We are working with our EU partners to ensure that, in addition to a focus on the political and security situation, priority is given by the international community to the vital issue of humanitarian access to people and communities affected by the conflict and the tension in the region. We will...
- Written Answers — Human Rights Issues: Human Rights Issues (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: I have already made clear on a number of occasions, including in this House, my own deep concern and that of the Irish Government and people regarding the general human rights situation in Bahrain. The right of freedom of assembly and freedom of speech are fundamental rights in a free society, and must be respected by all governments. The report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of...
- Written Answers — Arms Trade: Arms Trade (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: Ireland remains deeply concerned at the general human rights situation in Bahrain and has not issued a license for the sale of military goods to Bahrain since the outbreak of unrest in that country. The decision to transfer or deny the transfer of any military goods or technology is at the national discretion of each exporting State. I cannot comment on individual exports made by other...
- Written Answers — Ministerial Meetings: Ministerial Meetings (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited Dublin on 18 June, and I met her on her arrival at Dublin Airport. We then had an exchange of views across a range of issues including the current situation in Burma, bilateral trade and economic relations and the ways in which Ireland might be of assistance to Burma as it progresses towards greater democracy and an open economy. Burma is in the process of...
- Written Answers — Consular Services: Consular Services (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 156 together. I am aware of the situation concerning the two men referred to by the Deputy. As neither of them is an Irish citizen it is not possible for my Department to offer them consular assistance. The Greek authorities are under no legal obligation to assist our Embassy with any requests made in connection with this investigation, as we have no...
- Written Answers — Irish Communities Abroad: Irish Communities Abroad (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: In respect of the United States, the following are the relevant statistics based on information made available by the US Department of Homeland Security: Ireland Federal Year (October â September) Total Criminal Non-Criminal 2007 57 20 37 2008 79 19 60 2009 129 19 110 2010 103 20 83 2011 (provisional figures) 67 30 37 The figures for 2011 are provisional as the final figures will...
- Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: The number of staff who retired from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in each of the years in question is set out in the table: Year Number of Staff 2009 36.85 2010 25 2011 23 2012 36.5 With regard to staff of my Department, the calculation and payment of superannuation benefits is a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
- Written Answers — Redundancy Payments: Redundancy Payments (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: No such redundancy payments have been made by my Department.
- European Council: Statements (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: I welcome the contributions made by Deputies to this debate. It is very important that the Oireachtas is fully involved in our European business, particularly when such important issues are involved and these debates are a significant part of that work. We are truly at a critical juncture for the future of the European Union project, and the future of the eurozone in particular. I believe...
- Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: I welcome the opportunity to update the House on the current appalling situation in Syria and I thank Deputy John O'Mahony for raising the issue. All right-thinking people are offended by the continuing violence and blatant repression of human rights which are estimated to have claimed more than 10,000 lives in the past 15 months. The situation in Syria was extensively discussed at...
- Foreign Conflicts (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: The Government continues to attach the highest priority to the safety and security of the members of the Defences Forces participating in the mission and that of all those participating in the mission. Close contact is being maintained between my Department, the Department of Defence and the UN, through our mission in New York. General Mood fully briefed troop contributor countries and the...
- Seanad: European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012: Second Stage (26 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: I am pleased to be in this House to introduce the European Communities (Amendment) Bill 2012. This Bill is but the most recent revision to the European Communities Act 1972. Each such revision has, in turn, gone a long way to bringing home to the Houses of the Oireachtas and Irish people at large key developments taking place at European Union level. Successive amendments to the European...
- Written Answers — Foreign Conflicts: Foreign Conflicts (21 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: The Government continues to be gravely concerned at the deteriorating situation in Syria, marked by escalating violence and mounting casualties with well over 10,000 people estimated to have been killed since the beginning of the crisis 15 months ago. Following the barbaric murders of hundreds of innocent civilians and small children in Houla and al Qubeir, which I have strongly condemned,...
- Written Answers — Official Engagements: Official Engagements (21 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: There are no current plans for an official visit to Ireland by the Prime Minister of Australia in 2012.
- Written Answers — Passport Applications: Passport Applications (21 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: The Passports Act, 2008 provides that the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied as to the identity of each applicant for before a passport is issued to him/her. Proofs of identity are required in respect of all passport applications. These requirements, which are outlined both in the passport application form notes that accompany each application form and on the Department's website...
- Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues: Statements (21 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation issues with Deputies. For more than five decades, the Government has pursued a policy of complete opposition to nuclear weapons and in this has enjoyed strong cross-party political support in this House. This support has been important in enabling successive Ministers and officials to speak out strongly...
- Leaders' Questions (21 Jun 2012)
Eamon Gilmore: Deputy Boyd Barrett cannot have it both ways. He cannot on the one hand say that the cap on rents is resulting in people being made homeless and on the other hand say we should not pay the rent allowance at all.